Jan. 11, 2008

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. - The Arizona State University wrestling team got off to a slow start, dropping its first four bouts of the evening en route to falling for the first time this season as host Cal Poly defeated the Sun Devils, 24-17, inside Mott Gym Friday night in San Luis Obispo, Calif. Four Sun Devils scored victories on the evening, but it was not enough as ASU slipped to 8-1 overall and 2-1 in the Pac-10 while the Mustangs improved to 4-3 overall and 3-1 in the conference.

The dual opened at 149 pounds with the Sun Devils dropping their first four bouts of the evening. Jerrad Trulson lost a tech fall at 149 pounds before Alex Pavlenko lost an 8-2 decision to No. 9 Eric Maldanado at 157 pounds. No. 12 Patrick Pitsch's match went to overtime with the Sun Devil senior dropping a 3-1 decision in the tiebreaker after Ryan Williams scored a reversal for the win.

Following a major decision loss at 174 pounds, the Sun Devils trailed, 15-0, in the team race. No. 15 Brent Chriswell got the visitors on the board at 184 pounds as he defeated Ernie Varela, 11-8. At 197 pounds, Jason Trulson ground out a close, 1-0, decision, scoring the lone point of the bout with an escape seven seconds into the second period.

Down, 15-6, heavyweight Kenny Lester doubled the Sun Devils' point total as he pinned Jim Powers at 6:58, just two seconds before the end of the bout he was leading 10-6 with at takedown with 19 seconds remaining. ASU took the lead one bout later as No. 16 Anthony Robles recorded a 16-0 technical fall at 125 pounds, putting the Sun Devils ahead, 17-15, with two bouts remaining. Despite the lead, the Sun Devils would drop the final two bouts of the night, including a 7-2 decision at 133 pounds and a fall at 141 pounds.

ASU's road trip continues Saturday in Bakersfield, Calif., as the Sun Devils meet the Roadrunners of CS Bakersfield at 5 p.m. The Sun Devils also face CS Fullerton at 2 p.m. Sunday in Fullerton, Calif.

Arizona State at Cal Poly
January 11 • Mott Gym • San Luis Obispo, Calif.
All duals opened at 149 pounds • Attendance: 1,063
149 - Eric Maldanado (CP) tech fall Jerrad Trulson (AS), 24-9
157 - #9 Chase Pami (CP) decision Alex Pavlenko (AS), 8-2
165 - Ryan Williams (CP) decision #12 Patrick Pitsch (AS), 3-1 tb
174 - Mike Williams (CP) major Rick Renzi (AS), 11-1
184 - #15 Brent Chriswell (AS) decision Ernie Varela (CP), 11-8
197 - Jason Trulson (AS) decision Arturo Basulto (CP), 1-0
285 - Kenny Lester (AS) pinned Jim Powers (CP), 6:58
125 - #16 Anthony Robles (AS) tech fall Micah Ferguson (CP), 16-0
133 - Filip Novachkov (CP) decision Todd Schavrien (AS), 7-2
141 - #3 Chad Mendes (CP) pinnes Chris Drouin, 1:01
Cal Poly (4-3, 3-1 Pac-10) defeats Arizona State (8-1, 2-1), 24-17